After bankruptcy filing, embattled Roseville aquarium chain to potentially sell for $80K

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SeaQuest, an interactive aquarium chain that recently filed for bankruptcy, could be sold this week pending a judge’s approval.

A hearing for the Idaho-based company is set for Friday, when a judge will rule on the sale of the aquarium’s remaining locations, including the aquarium at Rosedale Center in Roseville, for $80,000 to Z&A Management LLC, according to bankruptcy filings.

The hearing for the sale, which includes all animals, equipment, tools, furniture and fixtures, was expedited because “the welfare of certain animals owned and controlled by (SeaQuest) may be in jeopardy,” according court documents.

The aquarium company, which operates five total locations in California, Nevada, Utah and New Jersey in addition to Roseville, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December.

According to the Dec. 2 bankruptcy filing, the company has between $500,000 and $1 million in assets and between $10 million and $50 million in liabilities.

The aquarium chain reported over $15.2 million in revenue for 2023, a sharp decline from the $27.1 million it reported in 2022, according to court filings.

Jeff Cox, who is listed as the buyer for Z&A Management, owns a 4% stake in SeaQuest through Noveen Capital, according to the motion for sale.

“Closing will occur as soon as possible after Bankruptcy Court approval of the sale,” the motion states, but animal rights activists are hoping it doesn’t get that far.

Roseville troubles

An August 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that SeaQuest Roseville kept animals in hazardous enclosures, failed to clean accumulated mouse feces and let animals go months without regular visits from a veterinarian, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

“Other repeat violations include failing to provide animals with basic enrichment necessary to their psychological well-being and failing to adequately clean the facility,” PETA states.

An investigation into SeaQuest was conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and presented to the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office for prosecution review, said Public Information Officer Dennis Gerhardstein in an email. “As this investigation and prosecution review is still active and ongoing, we cannot comment further at this time.”

Founder of SeaQuest and former CEO Vince Covino stepped down in August after 12 years at the helm. Aaron Neilsen, who joined the company in 2021, was tapped as his replacement.

“SeaQuest has faced criticism from animal-rights organizations during the founder’s tenure as CEO,” reads a company news release announcing his departure. “While Covino acknowledges that mistakes were made along the way, his love for the thousands of animals and team members are ultimately what brought his early vision into fruition.”

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SeaQuest did not respond to a Pioneer Press request for comment.

Sink SeaQuest Roseville, a campaign of the Animal Rights Coalition, has routinely protested the local aquarium and wrote letters last week opposing the sale, writing “The animals ‘owned’ by SeaQuest have suffered long enough and approving a sale to Jeff Cox is not in the best interest of the animals.”

The Roseville location is currently home to a variety of animals including sea-dwelling fish, fresh water fish, stingrays, a Giant Pacific Octopus, a sloth, an otter, a Goldenchild Cow reticulated python and several birds, per court documents.

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